Tallulah's Solo

by Marilyn Singer, Alexandra Boiger (Illustrator)

Overview

Tallulah is certain she will have a solo in her dance school’s upcoming performance of The Frog Prince. After all, she is now an excellent ballerina. And she’s proud that her little brother, Beckett, has started taking ballet too, even though he spends most of his time goofing off.

But then Tallulah gets an unexpected surprise . . . and not the good kind. What’s a ballerina to do when everything does not go as planned?

Ballet and sibling rivalry meet head-on in this fabulous follow-up to Tallulah’s Tutu.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780547822815
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/01/2012
Series:	Tallulah Series
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
Lexile:	AD640L (what's this?)
File size:	7 MB
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Marilyn Singer is the author of more than one hundred books for children, including the Tallulah books. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, Connecticut. Visit her online at marilynsinger.net.

Alexandra Boiger grew up in Munich, Germany. She has illustrated many picture and chapter books, including five popular books about ballerina Tallulah and She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton. She lives in Northern California. Visit her online at alexandraboiger.com and on Instagram @Alexandra_Boiger.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"[A] charming follow-up to 2011's Tallulah's Tutu."  —The New York Times Book Review

"A lovely story that gently and effectively presents common childhood difficulties wrapped in a world of tutus and sparkles."—Kirkus Reviews

"A lovely tribute to the closeness of brothers and sisters, this title holds appeal for the child needing patience, yet wanting to be recognized."—School Library Journal "Conveys Tallulah’s shifting emotions as a dancer and as a sister with equal perception and finesse. Full of light and grace, Boiger’s watercolor illustrations bring the characters to life in lively paintings. An appealing choice for ballet lovers and a fine sequel to Tallulah’s Tutu"—Booklist

"Boiger's gouache and watercolor art is as fluid and graceful as a pirouette."—Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

Tallulah, the aspiring ballerina whose tutu tunnel vision led to a meltdown in Tallulah’s Tutu, is as determined as ever to achieve her dancing dream. But when her brother, Beckett, who does nothing but pick his nose and goof off in ballet class, wins a bigger role than she does in a production of The Frog Prince, Tallulah is seriously chagrined. Though Tallulah’s turnaround is a tad hasty, Singer conveys her initial frustration and disappointment with authenticity, while Boiger’s gouache and watercolor art is as fluid and graceful as a pirouette. Ages 4–8. Illustrator’s agent: Marcia Wernick, Wernick & Pratt. (May)

Publishers Weekly

"[A] charming follow-up to 2011's Tallulah's Tutu."  —The New York Times Book Review "A lovely story that gently and effectively presents common childhood difficulties wrapped in a world of tutus and sparkles."—Kirkus Reviews "A lovely tribute to the closeness of brothers and sisters, this title holds appeal for the child needing patience, yet wanting to be recognized."—School Library Journal "Conveys Tallulah’s shifting emotions as a dancer and as a sister with equal perception and finesse. Full of light and grace, Boiger’s watercolor illustrations bring the characters to life in lively paintings. An appealing choice for ballet lovers and a fine sequel to Tallulah’s Tutu"—Booklist "Boiger's gouache and watercolor art is as fluid and graceful as a pirouette."—Publishers Weekly —

From the Publisher

K-Gr 2—Tallulah returns! Her plié and her relevé are excellent, and she is absolutely POSITIVE that she will have a solo in the winter recital. She is not so sure that her goof-off little brother will do well. She's shown him the barre, the mirrors, and the rest of the studio, but Beckett just can't concentrate for long—and, at one lesson, he ends up in the dreaded "time-out" chair. When he is given the larger role, Tallulah sulks with disappointment. In her more important role as big sister, however, she excels and is rewarded while helping Beckett do his best. Varied sizes of watercolor illustrations form backgrounds for the text and follow Tallulah's graceful moves and despondent mood. Readers are treated to her thoughts, highlighted with a bold change in font, and her fantasies, depicted in a dreamlike blue. A lovely tribute to the closeness of brothers and sisters, this title holds appeal for the child needing patience, yet wanting to be recognized.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX

School Library Journal

The ballerina-in-training sparkles in her return engagement when she learns to be a good big sister and to share the spotlight. Tallulah, of Tallulah's Tutu (2011), is certain that she will star in her school's winter recital of the Frog Prince and shows little patience with younger brother, Beckett, who has joined her in ballet studies. Her head swells with visions of flowers for her outstanding performance as the princess. Meanwhile, Beckett pays little attention and even spends a stint in the time-out chair. Surprise! Beckett's jumping skills land him the role of the Frog before princedom, and Tallulah is, alas, only a lady-in-waiting. The moment of reckoning arrives when their mother asks Tallulah to help her crying and nervous little brother. That she does, commendably. The result is a wonderful performance that is instrumental in landing each of them starring roles in the spring production of Hansel and Gretel. Veteran Singer approaches both issues—ego and sibling bonding—with a sure hand. Boiger once again uses watercolors in balletic shades of lilac, blue and green to great effect and creates a welcoming studio and stage setting. A lovely story that gently and effectively presents common childhood difficulties wrapped in a world of tutus and sparkles. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews